yacht charter tips

Yacht prices are in EURO, per week, depending on the period of the year. Charter fees include the rental cost of the yacht, insurance and VAT (tourist tax not included).

Are there any additional charges?

The following additional charges may apply: • Deposit - Refundable Security Deposit • End cleaning - A cleaning fee depending on the size of the boat could be asked (60-120 euros) • Fuel - The yacht should be delivered topped up with fuel. • Port or Marina fees - This is a daily-base fee depending on the marina you choose • Options - Any optional extras that you might have specifically requested.

What is the security deposit?

The boat is comprehensively insured, including third Party cover, beyond a deductible "excess" figure. The Refundable Security Deposit is held against the yacht's insurance excess and, if there is no damage or loss to the boat or her equipment, this amount is refunded to you.

Exception: for any loss or damage caused by gross negligence or wanted or willful misuse by the charterer or by any of his party, to a value in excess of the Security Deposit amount, the charterer will be held liable for the total amount of loss or damage. Normally, we will refund the Security Deposit immediately at the end of the charter. However, if any damage and/or loss are extensive, the deposit or appropriate proportion will be returned, if applicable, as soon as possible after full assessment of rectifying such damage or loss has been made.

The Refundable Security Deposit covers:

Loss of or damage to the yacht or its tender or to third parties.

Loss of or damage to the equipment listed in the inventory and given to the charterer at check-in.

Costs incurred if the yacht is returned in an extremely dirty condition.

Cost of returning the yacht to the prearranged harbor if the charterer fails to do so by the scheduled date and time.

Cost of refuelling if the boat is returned without refilled tanks.

The payment of the Refundable Security Deposit is designed to cover only one incident of a substantial nature at any one time, ie: in case of loss or damage to equipment of significant value such as outboard engine or dinghy, the charterer will have the right to an immediate replacement whilst on charter, provided that the charterer pays a new Refundable Security Deposit immediately upon receipt of replacement or repair. The Refundable Security Deposit is payable at the yacht's base before embarkation.

What should I bring with me?

The boat is fully equipped for charter and apart from provisioning and your personal belongings, you could step onboard as you are!

Do you provide boat briefings?

The charterer and his or her party will be given general briefing covering the local cruising grounds. Questions about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, or any part of the desired itinerary can be answered. A more specific boat briefing aboard the yacht will then be given, covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove, dinghy, outboard and emergency systems.

Should I have travel insurance?

In your own interest, you are strongly advised to buy suitable travel insurance before leaving home, including cancellation insurance to protect your booking deposit.

Visas and documents

In order to attract visitors to Croatia once again, entry requirements have been relaxed somewhat. Citizens of Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, the UK and Ireland no longer require a visa for stays up to 90 days. South Africans must apply for a special visa in Pretoria. This lasts 90 days and you must produce a return ticket. If you are unsure about your requirements, visit any Croatian Embassy. If you wish to stay more than 90 days the easiest thing to do is cross the border into Italy or Austria then return. All foreigners must register with the local police when they arrive in a new area of the country but this is normally a simple matter handled by the hotel or your accommodation agent. They will normally hold your passport overnight when you arrive. A valid passport is always required for entry into Croatia and you must ensure that it is valid for your entire stay in the country. Always make a photocopy and keep it in a separate place. In the event of your passport becoming lost or stolen, a photocopy will assist the Embassy in issuing a replacement.

Beach holidays

The beaches in Croatia are superb. There are many tiny coves with crystal clear water. Many beaches are flanked by unspoilt pine forests and some beaches are packed with naturists. Some of the best beaches include Baska on Krk Island and Lopar on Rab Island. Many of the beaches are popular with nudists.

Activity holidays

Croatia’s wonderful coastline combined with a diverse topography make it the ideal location for activity holidays of every description. Hiking, Rock climbing, Scuba diving and Mountain biking are all popular.

Practical matters

Electricity is 220V, 50Hz. Croatia uses the standard European 2 point plugs so if you are visiting from the UK, obtain an adaptor.

Time

Croatia is on Central European Time (GMT + 1 hour). Daylight saving comes into effect at the end of March when clocks are put forward one hour. At the end of September clocks are put back an hour.

Language

In addition to the Croatian language, most Croats speak at least one other language. Inland the second language is most likely to be German or Italian. Most people in hotels, tourist offices and restaurants are proficient in English.

Communications

Post services HPT Hrvatska shows a red, white and blue sign and offers a wide range of services from selling stamps and telephone cards to sending faxes and offering call facilities. To avoid a trip to the Post Office, you can buy stamps ‘pismo’ from newsstands ‘tisak’ and drop your letters into a yellow post box on any street. In larger cities and towns Post Offices are open from 7am – 7pm Monday to Friday and 7am – 1pm on Saturday. In small towns Post Offices may be open from 7am – 2pm, and sometimes on Saturday mornings.

Telephones The international dialling code to call Croatia is 385. You also drop the initial ‘0’ on the area code. To make a call within Croatia, start with the area code (including the initial 0), then the local number. Phone numbers beginning with ‘060’ are free and calls beginning with ‘09’ are mobile phone numbers. To make an international call from Croatia, go to a Post Office as a hotel will charge a much higher rate. Most street telephones are card operated only. Most Post offices, tobacconists and newsstands sell telephone cards. Most public telephones are equipped with several languages. Calls within Croatia are cheaper after 4pm.

Mobile telephones in Croatia Croatia uses GSM 900/1800 which is compatible with the rest of Europe but not the USA GSM 1900. If you have a GSM phone, check with your service provider for compatibility. Be careful with international calls as they are expensive. You can purchase a SIM card for about 200KN which includes a Croatian number and an amount of call time.

Internet access and computers in Croatia The use of the internet is growing rapidly in Croatia and telephone lines are being modernised. However, it may still be difficult to obtain internet connection at your hotel. The older hotels may still have an antiquated telephone system. The dial tone in Croatia is also different which may cause computer problems. Internet cafes are springing up all over Croatia and they are cheap and efficient. Most have English speaking staff. Some tourist offices allow free collection of emails on their computers. If you are staying in Croatia for any length of time you can sign up with the Post Office who will provide you with internet access. This cannot however be done on line. You have to sign a contract at the Post Office. They will then post a disk to you.

Crime and safety

It is quite safe to travel all over Croatia and mugging and thefts are not a major problem. However, as with any foreign country, use your common sense and do not put yourself in a vulnerable position. Young girls on their own at night may be pestered but it is not usually a great risk situation. If you are concerned, approach a policeman.